Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-10
SAVING THE GIRLS.

TALON. is doing some excellent work in the way of
drilling.
SAVING THE GIRLS.
An Institution thar Proposes to Bsfrisnd
those in Danger.
THE WILKINSON HOME AND IT'S PLAN-How YOUNG
AND vIRTUoUs GIRLS IN STRANGE CITY ARE BRsEr
WITH DANGERS AND NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. RE-
LATED BIZ THE FOUNDER or THE HOME.
A STAR reporter was talking the other evening
with Mrs Wilkinson, the principal promoter Of
the "Wilkinson Home" The home has recently
been established In narrow old-fashioned house,
323 street. and Is intended as place OF refuge
for innocent and virtuous young girls who are
thrown into the city without friends and without
the protection OF home There are several
"homes' or reformator1es for women who have
"fallen BY the wayside" and are calling for help,
but this differs from them In that 1t is home for
the innocent and virtuous who might be in danger
Of deception and sin II left uncared for. No others
are received. The story told by Mrs. Wilkinson is
Of drama and sensation In real life.
"You can have no idea" she said to the re-
lngton without friends, and the terrible fate that
awaits them here IL they are not wise and pru-
dent They are met at the very depots by men
and women finely dressed and Of kindly appear
to play the part Of philanthropists, and lead into
shs sess and girls
a general disposition among country girls Of poor
parents to Try to get into the city, where they
W i es &c
living. 1t Is so OF all cities, but Washington Is
particularly ~ attractiye and to higher
and have been tenderly raised and well educated,
are often thrown on their own resources and they
turn TO Washington at once with the idea OF get
tlng employment. 1t Is the most innocent guile
less, and inexperienced OF these who are most
likely to deceive themselves into thinking that
and they are the most helpless when they get here
There are also girls who seek employment In stores
as dressmakers or In the household and come to
definite idea OF what they are to do. When they
geo mere they nnd the city bigger place than they
without shelter, and In despair Then it is that
they are In danger. There are women and men
watching out for them, in the depots, upon the
places where they go for their meals.
The purpose Of the wilkinson Home" Is to fur
nlSh shelter and protection for these young girls
ment, and become safely established In homes.
and II they fail to- do this we propose to assist
them to get home
KNTRAPPING A COUNTRY GIRL
"Only short time ago young girl from a little
country town, who had never been In city before
arrived at one Of depots on the last train about
midnight. She had left her home to come here
after employment, because she could no
longer earn living at her country home Her
folks had taken her Is miles to the nearest depot
and got there Just In time TO miss the train. She
had either TO wait or go back. She waited for q
late train, and arrived In washington alone
at midnight: While she was looking around
In wonder at the great depot, confused by the
strangeness OF the place, all the other passengers
with their satcheis ana baskets and bundles were
hurrying out and making the best Of their way to
night quarters. The woman In charge OF the
ladies' reception-roOm had gone: the railroad on
cials had gone, and even the policeman who stands
the train had hurried away. In two or three min
utes the depot had been cleared. and there
seemed to be no one she could ask to direct
none OF the streets, none OF the hotels, and
no one to direct her. She went to the boy
at the newsstand and asked him if he could
direct her to some respectable, inexpensive
hotel where she could get lodgings and break.
fast In the morning. The boy did not know, but
girl was young and innocent ana pretty. There
was an elegantly dressed man standing near the
door and when the boy turned away he slipped
up to the young girl and offered his services. He
found she Was fresh from the country and had no
friends in the city. Then he told her he knew OF
nice place she could 60, where she would be
very kindly received and would get every atten.
ttOn, and seeing her doubtful, probably, that 1t
was place beyond her means, lie FASTENED TO as
sure her that 1t would cost her nothing-he would
that the man was a villain, and Intended her no
good. She declined his kindness" and got away
from him She told Inc afterward that no doubt
one OF her sisters cousins, who had had less ex-
per1ence than she had, would have been deceived
by the man.
PLACE OF REFUGE
This Is only one OF hunnreds OF cases. and the
girls are not always as snrewd as this one With
out friends and inexperienced they face an awful
danger. 1t Is our purpose to have place where
they can always ind friends and shelter, and be
safe from getting into place Of bad character
without knowing IL. Whether they have means
or are penniless we care for them. II they have
means they may pay small sum for their &C
commodations, but all are Cared for alike. What
we want is for everybody to help us by sending
here those whom they know need our protection
They must be OF good character. Nearly the same
danger may threaten most any young girl who Is
travelling alone, even II she Is merely going
from one place TO another on a visit
layed, or she may miss her train There was
case occurred recently. The train from the south
was late, and missed connection with that for
New York. Among the passengers who arrived at
the depot here was very pretty young girl who
was going right through to New York She had
been seen safely on the train, and was be met by
friends IN New York, soft was thought she would
have no trouble. But the trains failed to connect
and she had to wait alone in the depot here
While she was sitting In the ladies' waiting room
woman dressed In silk with beads and ribbons
sat Oy her side and drew her into conversation.
Mrs. Blank, who has charge OF the waiting room,
and Is thorough good woman, knew who the
woman was and interfered. The young lady said
safe for her TO go to New York on the late train
and had kindly offered to take her home with her
for the night and see her safe on her way at a
more suitable hour. The friendly lady being ex-
posed left the depot In haste and Mrs. Bland took
care OF the young lady until her train was ready
start. And" she continued 'there are cases COM
ing up every day nearly that are too shocking to
discuss"
TO WOUND AND NOT KILL.